Battle.net: account, subscription, beta, name reservation

Updated 2026-09-13

Forever is a Battle.net game like any other WoW version. Here is the checklist, in order.

1. Account and security

Create or sign in at battle.net. One account covers every region's WoW.
Turn on the Battle.net Authenticator (in the Battle.net mobile app) and SMS Protect in Account → Security. Besides protecting the account, the authenticator raises the in-game bag slots and is required for some features.
Set your BattleTag — it's what other players (and this site, when you sign in) see. It can be changed once for free.

2. Subscription

Forever is included with any active World of Warcraft subscription or game time — there is nothing separate to buy. Options: a recurring subscription (1, 3 or 6 months) or prepaid game time from the Battle.net Shop or a retailer. The same subscription also covers modern WoW and the other Classic games. Blizzard has not announced a WoW Token for Forever.

3. Beta access (Sept 17 – Oct 22)

Two ways in:

Opt in on the official Forever page ("Request beta access"). This flags your account in Account → Beta Profile Settings; invitations go out in waves and are never guaranteed.
Guaranteed: the limited-time Warcraft Forever Collection includes beta access (see the FAQ for what else it contains).

Beta characters are capped at level 30 and are wiped before launch.

4. Pre-purchase editions

Optional. The Skyborne Heroic Pack and Skyborne Epic Pack unlock the Skyborne race; the Warcraft Forever Collection adds beta access, early name reservation, 30 days of game time and extras. Buy them from the Battle.net Shop on the account you will play on — they are account-wide, not per character.

5. Name reservation and character creation (Oct 27)

Early name reservation opens on Oct 27 for eligible accounts, together with character creation, one week before launch. Realm lists are announced with it. Reserve on the realm type you actually want (normal / PvP / RP — Blizzard has not yet said which types Forever will offer) and note that names are per realm.

6. Installing the client

In the Battle.net desktop app: World of Warcraft → Game version → Forever (the same version switcher used for Classic). Pick your region in the same panel. Forever runs on Windows and macOS; the Deep Dive should confirm minimum specs.

7. Launch day (Nov 4, 3 PM PST)

Global launch at the same moment everywhere: 3 PM PST / 6 PM EST / midnight CET (Nov 5) / 8 AM KST (Nov 5). Expect login queues on popular realms — layering and realm caps have not been detailed yet.

Signing in on this site

The "Sign in with Battle.net" button uses Blizzard's official OAuth. You authorize on battle.net; we only receive your BattleTag and account ID, plus read access to your WoW characters (wow.profile) so you can claim a guild. You can revoke this at any time under Account → Connections on battle.net. We never see your password.